Patient notes at a keystroke

AROUND 200,000 Oldham residents are being given the chance to sign up for an electronic medical record scheme that aims to improve the care they receive out of hours or in an emergency.

The Summary Care Record (SCR) is a way of storing essential information about a patient electronically — including details of allergies, current prescriptions and known reactions to medication.

SCR will allow the information to be available quickly — especially if the patient is confused or unconscious.

Patients from GP practices across Oldham have been sent an information pack about SCR and have 12 weeks to make a decision about whether they want one.

People who decide they want one do nothing, while those who decline can opt out. In either case, the decision can be reversed at any time by contacting the family doctor.

SCR will soon be available to doctors working out of hours at Go To Doc and staff at The Royal Oldham Hospital. Staff at Fairfield General Hospital and Bolton Royal already use the system, and the ultimate aim is for SCR to be in use nationwide.

Health chiefs clam SCR uses the latest security technology to ensure records remain secure.

For more information call the NHS Care Records Line on 0845 603 8510 or NHS Oldham’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0800 389 8679 or at olppct. pals@nhs.net